1. General SSRS Questions
Question: Which versions of SSRS have you used?
Comment: Differences between 2005 and 2008 are quite big so if someone hasn't used 2008 or 2008 R2
before (or vice versa) than make sure you know this will require a few days to get up to speed with the
new/previous version. If the candidate used several versions ask to describe the differences between them.
Question: Have you got samples of your work?
Comment: If SSRS is main skills for the role than it is worth asking for samples (before interview) they will
often tell you a lot about the candidate quality of work.
Question: Do you have Data Visualization skills? (optional)
Comment: If you need dashboards then it is worth asking this question (we will ask more specific questions
later). This is also related to previous question. When you review samples ask the candidate or yourself two
questions: What is the purpose? and is it useful? Someone who does not know anything about data
visualization will usually use pie charts, gauges (exception is bullet chart which is classified as gauge in
SSRS), 3D effects, make colourful designs (without any colour meaning). Some candidates may mention
Stephen Few or Edward Tufte and this normally is a big plus.
Question: How have you learnt SSRS (on the job, articles, books, conferences)
Comment: The thing is that most people who read good books have usually an advantage over those who
hasn't because they know what they know and they know what they don't know (but they know it exists
and is available)…. Blog/Articles very in quality so best practise articles is a big plus+, conferences can be
also a plus.
Question: Do you have certifications
Comment: This is rather disappointing point for me. Qualifications generally are welcome but unfortunately
many people simply cheat. Companies run courses and then give questions and answers, or people find
them on the internet. I've met people who had certification but knew very little, I've met people very
experienced and knowledgeable without certification and people who have done certification for their self-
satisfaction and are experienced and knowledgeable. In other words be careful with certification…. It is easy
to get misleading impression if you don't assess the candidate actual knowledge.
SSRS Development Questions
Question: How do you normally create reports (wizard/manually)?
Comment: If wizard in most cases then you got rather inexperienced person, if manually than it is usually
good answer. The best answer is using a template. Generally developers create reports from scratch which
is not bad but it is not very efficient either.
Question: Gives examples where you used parameters?
Comment: Typically you use parameters to filter data in datasets (or data on reports) but you can also use
them to restrict values like the well-known make->model->year example. You can also have hidden and
internal parameters which get very handy for more advanced stuff.
Question: Gives examples where you used parameters?
Comment: Typically you use parameters to filter data in datasets (or data on reports) but you can also use
them to restrict values like the well known make->model->year example. You can also have hidden and
internal parameters which get very handy for more advanced stuff.

2. Question: What types of graphs do you normally use and what effects do you apply to them?
Comment: Good graph are bar, line, scatter, bullet graphs. Bad graphs are pie charts, area graphs, gauges
(apart from bullet graph which classified as gauge in SSRS). Effects should be limited to minimum.
Developers should avoid 3D effects, "glass" effect, shadows etc.
Some SSRS Advanced Questions
Question: Have you used custom assemblies in SSRS? If Yes give an example
Comment: This allows to re-use code in reports and it is not very common.
Question: Can you update report data using SSRS?
Comment: This is not often used but it is possible.
Question: What is the formatting code (format property) for a number with 2 decimal places?
Comment: N2
The last question is one of the most important ones. Ask the candidate to do the job using the software! It
doesn't have to anything special. You can ask them just to create a simple report, graph, chart or use one of
the questions and ask the person to explain it using SSRS. It is usually very easy to spot how familiar is the
person with the software and options/properties.
Hope that helps!
Emil
www.sql-server-business-intelligence.com